LIFE'S LESSONS

Phil Hardman celebrates the passing-on of knowledge and has himself some fun!

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This month’s article is a change from my usual hunting feature, but it’s very much a story I wanted to tell. I’ve been a long-term advocate of the benefits, and positive aspects of airgunning, but even I am still often surprised by just how amazing this sport truly is. I have made really good friends over the years; some I have met whilst out shooting, some in gunshops, and even some online, but it has also helped to strengthen bonds in the most unusual of places, and made me realise just how lucky I am.

My ex-wife, Jess, who long-term readers might remember from some of my early features, and I, have remained very good friends since our divorce. We have two children, Jack and Casey, and she has been step-mother to my eldest son, Chris, for almost 15 years. We divorced five years ago, life has moved on, she has a new partner, David, and together they have had two children of their own. This could seem like an awkward arrangement when it comes to my Sunday visits to see my kids, but it never really has been. We’ve all got along very well actually, to the benefit of everyone, particularly the kids. David is a keen fisherman, and I had never actually tried it myself, so he took me out one day, along with my middle son, Jack, and we had the best time. I really loved it. To return the favour I said that I would take one of my airguns round, put up some targets and have a bit of a plinking session in the back garden, with a view to going out into the field eventually and doing some actual hunting.

OUT WITH THE BOYS